ABOUT SSUCHY

A logic of sustainable development

SSUCHY aims at exploiting the intrinsic and differentiating properties of plant fibres and biopolymers derived from lignocellulosic feedstock to develop fully bio-based composites with improved functionalities. The main driver behind this project is not only to substitute conventional fossil-based materials with more sustainable bio-based ones but also to achieve improved functionalities that surpasses those of fossil-based ones. Enhanced functionalities are, in addition to load-bearing resistance and weight reduction of structures, enhanced durability, vibration damping, vibro-acoustic control and fire retardancy while retaining an essentially recyclable and, for certain applications, biodegradable character. Such developments would provide to the composite industry a significant value and functions added products with high socio-economic impacts and minimized environmental impact. It will create opportunities to expand market applications for bio-based composites to semi-structural and functional applications in transportation along with new opportunities in high value niches.

PERSPECTIVEThe use of plant fibres is increasing outstandingly and demand is expected to grow by 300 % over the next 25 years.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

From lignocellulosic feedstock to bio-based composites with advanced functionalities for transportation and high value market niches

The SSUCHY project intends to contribute to the development of bio-based composite products with advanced functionalities and high structural properties for transportation sectors and in high value market applications for bio-based composites to semi-structural and functional applications in the transportation area (ground transportation and aerospace) and create new opportunities in high value market niches such as the acoustic & electronic sectors.Read more…

SSUCHY aims at exploiting the intrinsic and differentiating properties of plant fibres and bio-based polymers to develop and enhance the functionalities of bio-based composites. Enhanced functionalities are, in addition to loadbearing resistance and weight reduction of structures, enhanced durability, vibration damping, vibro-acoustic control and fire retardancy while retaining an essentially recyclable and, for certain applications, biodegradable character. Such developments would provide to the composite industry a significant value and functions added products with high socio-economic impacts and minimized environmental impact. Effectively, in addition to the use of renewable constituents, this project also proposes to measure and minimize the environmental impact and energy consumption of the processes. A complete Life Cycle Analysis of the developed products will be provided. The proposed methodology is implemented within the framework of a multi-level eco-efficiency approach which covers experimental aspects, as well as process optimization, modelling and design.

OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED IMPACTS

The development of innovative bio-based composite constituents

The SSUCHY project is positioned on the development of composite constituents, based on a renewable resource (i.e. biopolymers and plant fibre reinforcements) for the development of multifunctional recyclable and/or biodegradable bio-based composites with advanced functionalities for application in different sectors : transportation (ground transportation and aerospace) and high value market niches such as the acoustic and electronics sectors. It is dedicated to the development of specific concepts, technologies and materials to achieve a complete value chain and prove the principle at the scale of product demonstrators.

Leverage the intrinsic properties of plant fibres to realise new functionalities in plant fibre composites and to create new opportunities in high value market niches, for example in next-generation of smart materials.

Take advantage of the availability and low cost of hemp fibres, along with their technical and environmental-friendly characteristics to market a high-performance plant fibre reinforcement for composite application at a competitive price.

Take advantage of availability and versatility of ligno-cellulosic feedstock and the chemical building blocks it provides to develop biopolymers with improved physical properties while remaining essentially recyclable and/or biodegradable.

Increase the sustainability and the competitiveness of European industry

The expected impact is twofold:

To set the basis and validate new bio-based constituents for composites ;

• new hemp reinforcement for composite application with low environmental impact, cost and high technical properties
• new bio-based aliphatic polyester with enhanced thermomechanical properties and still retaining a recyclable and/or biodegradable character
• new bio-based epoxy resin with advanced properties (flame retardancy…) with a high content of carbon from biomass
• new cobalt-free unsaturated polyester resin accelerator which has a low sensitivity to presence of fibre moisture during cure, and is optimized for high durability of the composite

To propose new composite structures and products based on these bio-based constituents and demonstrate their advanced functionalities at the scale of demonstrators.

KEY FIGURES

Project duration:

48 months, from September 2017 to August 2021

Budget:

Total cost: 7,411,150.71 €BBI JU contribution: 4,457,194.75 €

17

partners from 7 countries

10

academic institutions

3

SMEs

3

industries

1

competitiveness cluster

BBI JU

SSUCHY benefits from a contribution of 4,45 million euros from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU), a public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-Based Industries Consortium (BIC), operating under the European Horizon 2020 program.

The objectives of BBI JU are : to contribute to a sustainable, low carbon and profitable economy; to increase economic growth and employment, especially in rural areas, by developing competitive biosourced industries in Europe.